Trask Avenue

“You know how it is when you go to be the subject of a psychology experiment, and nobody else shows up, and you think maybe that’s part of the experiment? I’m like that all the time.” – Steven Wright

I have taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test several times over the course of my working life. This test is designed to identify how you perceive the world and, as a result, function within it through psychological preferences. Ideally it will help you understand why you favor doing things in a certain way. An added benefit is that it can also help maximize your influence by giving insight on how other people operate and what techniques you can employ to effectively meet both their needs and yours.

The test gauges four specific aspects of your psyche.

– How you focus your attention or get your energy (extraversion/introversion)
– How you perceive or take in information (sensing/intuition)
– How you prefer to make decisions (thinking/feeling)
– How you orient yourself to the external world (judgment/perception)

Each aspect has two dichotomies associated with it, as indicated above. (The Myers-Briggs folks are quick to point out their definitions of these dichotomies differ from than the everyday definitions of these words.) Based upon where your answers plot on a graph one dichotomy for each aspect of your psyche is identified. For example, if your answers plot you in Extraversion (E), Intuition (I), Feeling (F) and Judgment (J) grids your type is identified as EIFJ. A lengthy explanation about the general preferences of EIFJ, along with all the types, is provided. There are 16 possible psychological types. No one type is “better” than another; they’re just the different ways people naturally function.

Each type has characteristics generally found in the people identifying as that type. Whenever I’ve taken the test I am pegged as an INTJ which, all things considered, is pretty damn close to the truth. A majority of INTJ characteristics are dead-on accurate, at least as they apply to me. Actually, it’s kind of creepy.

Strongly Agree
– Strong confidence in their ability and talents
– Love independence of thought
– Prepared to lead if no one else seems up to the task
– Works best when given autonomy and creative freedom
– Pragmatic
– Logical
– Creative
– Desires efficiency
– Low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism
– Stable, reliable, and dedicated
– Harmony in relationships and home life tends to be extremely important
– Very loyal and prepared to commit substantial energy and time into a relationship to make it work

Mildly Agree
– Generally not susceptible to catchphrases
– Do not recognize authority based on tradition, rank, or title
– Harbor an innate desire to express themselves by conceptualizing their own intellectual designs
– Often acutely aware of their own knowledge and abilities as well as their limitations and what they don’t know
– Generally withhold strong emotion and do not like to waste time with what they consider irrational social rituals
– Trust their intuition when choosing friends and mates even in spite of contradictory evidence or pressure from others

Could Go Either Way
– Most comfortable working alone
– Emotions are hard to read
– Talent for analyzing and formulating complex theories
– Seeks out others with similar character traits and ideologies (in relationships)
– Can be demanding in their expectations, and approach relationships in a rational manner

Disagree
– At times seem cold, reserved, and unresponsive, while in fact almost hypersensitive to signals of rejection from those they care for
– In social situations may also be unresponsive and may neglect small rituals designed to put others at ease

Of the 25 characteristics listed here, only 2 clearly don’t apply to me. Or at least I don’t think they apply to me. Some may think otherwise.

One thing I find interesting is with each subsequent test my answers have plotted more and more towards the center of the graph. This means today I could just as easily be labeled an “E” rather than an “I” or an “S” as opposed to an “N”. Maybe that’s the by-product of years of experience dealing with workplace tribulations, politics and crises. Maybe I’ve become a chameleon. I don’t know. These days I do find it easier to understand someone else’s perspective than I did when I first started working. Hopefully I’ve become more effective as a result. I feel more effective, so at least there’s that.

I also find it interesting that my type – INTJ – is one of the rarest psychological types. It accounts for a mere 1% – 4% of the population. My parents always told me I was something else – and they didn’t need Myers-Briggs to figure it out!

If you wish to learn more about Myers-Briggs click here. Happy self-analysis!